Light analyzer apparatus

ABSTRACT

A light analysis system for analyzing light transmitted through an ampoule includes a housing having at least one receptacle for the ampoule, a cover for substantially preventing ambient light from affecting the receptacle and having an interior reflective surface, and a master control system. Each receptacle includes at least one light source and a photodetector positioned such that the light from the light source passes through the receptacle (and thereby the ampoule and its contents) prior to entering the photodetector. According to one preferred aspect of the invention, the receptacles are provided preferably at a 30° to 45° angle relative to vertical. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the light source is at least one LED which is directed to transmit light upward into the reflective surface of the cover such that the light is reflected by the cover downward into the receptacle toward the photodetector. The master control system permits user input, operates the light analysis system, and provides a user-readable display for the output of the results of the light analysis of the contents of the ampoule in the receptacle. The apparatus may include a large number of receptacles suitable for laboratory use or may include fewer or one receptacle suitable for home or portable use. Power supply circuitry is provided facilitating the use of the apparatus in a variety of environments.

This is a continuation of application, Serial No. 09/578,323 filed onMay 24, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,085.

This application is related to co-pending application Ser. No.09/557,653 entitled “Incubation System for a Light Analyzer Apparatus”,filed Apr. 25, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates broadly to analytical instruments. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to light analysis and power systemsfor an analyzer apparatus.

2. State of the Art

Analysis systems require that a test sample be subject to light analysisto determine the contents or a change in contents of the sample. Forexample, water test kits are used to determine the bacteriologicalactivity within water. In some water test kits, a water sample is takenin an ampoule containing an enzyme or reagent, thereby causing acalorimetric change to the water. The light transmitted through thewater sample is then measured to determine the contents of the ampoule.

While the prior art does include a number of analysis systems, suchexisting systems have a number of serious drawbacks. First, manyanalyzers are often bulky. The bulk reduces the portability of thedevice and inhibits the use of such a device in the field. In fact, mostanalyzers are not intended to be portable and therefore generally havelimitations on the type of power input which can be used to power thesystem.

Second, where light is axially transmitted through an ampoule containinga sample, a large number of components are often required at both endsof the ampoule for light emission and light detection. However, thisconfiguration requires a relatively larger apparatus and also requiresthat the circuitry be spread out throughout the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus whichcentralizes all componentry of the light emission and detection system.

It is another object of the invention to provide a light analysisapparatus which is substantially free from error due to ambient light.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a light analysisapparatus which is capable of operating with a variety of power sources.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable andrelatively low cost light analysis apparatus.

In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, alight analysis system for analyzing light transmitted through an ampouleis provided. The light analysis system includes a housing having atleast one receptacle (or nest) for an ampoule, a cover for substantiallypreventing ambient light from affecting each receptacle and having aninterior reflective surface, and a master control system. Eachreceptacle includes at least one light source and a photodetectorpositioned such that the light from the light source passes through thereceptacle (and thereby the ampoule and its contents) prior to enteringthe photodetector. According to one preferred aspect of the invention,the receptacles are provided preferably at a 30° to 45° angle relativeto vertical. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, thelight source is at least one LED which is directed to transmit lightupward into the reflective surface of the cover such that the light isreflected by the cover downward into the receptacle toward thephotodetector.

The master control system permits user input, operates the lightanalysis system, and provides a user-readable output which displays theresults of the analysis of the contents of the ampoule in thereceptacle.

The apparatus may include a large number of receptacles suitable forlaboratory use or may include fewer or even a single receptacle suitablefor home or portable use. Power supply circuitry is providedfacilitating the use of the apparatus in a variety of environments,e.g., in the field, in a laboratory, or in a vehicle.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the provided figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial front view of the light analysis apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of the invention without the caselid;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the apparatus of the invention showingthe case lid in open and closed positions;

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic circuit diagram of a master control systemof the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an ampoule receptacle according to theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of an ampoule receptacle according to theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a power source for the light analysis system ofthe invention; and

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of a second embodiment of an ampoulereceptacle according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 3, an ampoule incubator and analyzer 10according to the invention includes a housing 12 having preferably sixreceptacles (nests) 14, each for receiving an ampoule 16, and preferablya housing lid 17 movable between closed and open (broken lines)positions. The housing 12 preferably also includes a preferably planarlower surface 15 which is adapted to seat the housing on a planarsurface, and a storage area 19 for storing ampoules or other items. Areceptacle cover 18 in an open position provides access to thereceptacles and in a closed position 18 a substantially individuallyseals each receptacle to prevent ambient light from affecting thereceptacle. The receptacle cover 18 preferably includes a plurality ofconcave portions 21 each having a diffuse reflective interior surface 20which reflects and distributes light from a light source, discussedbelow, through the receptacles.

Referring to FIG. 4, the analyzer 10 also includes a master controlsystem 24. The master control system 24, which includes amicrocontroller 58, generally permits user input through control buttons30 and provides information to a user-readable display 32 and a signalto an audio output 33 comprised of a driver chip 33 a and a soundtransducer 33 b for the output of the results of testing with theanalyzer. The master control system 24 also operates, for eachreceptacle, the associated light source and an optical detector,discussed in detail below. A power supply 34 including a battery 35 andappropriate circuitry 36 to power the various systems is also provided(FIG. 7).

Referring to FIG. 3, more particularly, each receptacle is an opaquetube; e.g., metal or plastic, approximately 0.5-0.625 inch in diameter,and preferably approximately four inches in length. Turning to FIGS. 5and 6, a transparent preferably cleanable disk 38, preferably glass orpolycarbonate, is provided near a lower end 14 a of the receptacle. Theclosed end 16 a of the ampoule 16 is provided near the disk 38 (FIGS. 5and 6), with the open end 16 b of the ampoule at the upper end 14 b ofthe receptacle (FIG. 3). An O-ring 40 provides a watertight seal betweenthe disk 38 and the interior surface of the receptacle 14. A weep hole41 is provided in the receptacle adjacent but above the location of thedisk 38 to permit any water, test solution, or cleaning/sterilizationsolution which may drip into the receptacle 14 to drain therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the receptacles 14 are attached to aprinted circuit board (PCB) 42, e.g., by screws 43, preferably such thata longitudinal axis of each receptacle runs parallel to the plane of thePCB. Each receptacle 14 is provided with a light source 44 and anoptical detector 46, each coupled to the master controller 24. Both thelight source 44 and optical detector 46 are also preferably physicallycoupled to the PCB 42. The light source 44, preferably including one ormore LEDs, is adapted to emit light into the receptacle 14 whenreceiving a signal 45 from the master controller 24. In accord with apreferred aspect of the invention, the light source is a plurality ofLEDs 44 coupled to the PCB 42 in an orientation such that they directlight into the reflective interior surface 20 of the associated portion21 of the cover 18 of housing 12. The reflective surface 20 scatters thelight of the LEDs 44 through the ampoule 16 in the receptacle 14 andtoward the detector 46 located at the lower end 14 a of the receptacle(FIG. 3). A preferably hemispherical lens 48 is preferably provided togather the scattered light and channel the light transmitted through theampoule 16 toward the detector 46 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The optical detector46 provides a signal 47 to the microcontroller 58 which analyzes thesignal.

Referring to FIG. 3, the receptacles are preferably provided at anoblique, non-perpendicular angle relative to both the vertical and thehorizontal, e.g., 30° to 45° off vertical, by angling the receptaclesrelative to the lower surface 15 of the housing 12. The angle of thereceptacles facilitates light transmission through the ampoules bypreventing sediment from accumulating on the entire bottom of theampoule and thereby blocking all light paths between the reflectivesurface 20 and the optical detector 46. Moreover, an ampoules oftenincludes a stirring rod which will settle outside a direct axial lightpath when the receptacles are angled. As the receptacles are preferablycoupled to the PCB 42, one preferred manner of providing the angle is toorient the entire PCB at the desired angle relative to vertical withinthe housing 12. The above described configuration of the light source44, optical detector 46, and orientation of the receptacles 14 providesa system in which all componentry is preferably provided at or below thelevel of the top of the ampoule 16. This configuration facilitatessealing the receptacles from ambient light, with the reflective surface20 of the cover providing the redirection of the light into the requiredpath through the receptacle and ampoule. In addition, as the cover iscapable of reflecting the light, the need for separate reflectors isobviated and a system with fewer components, and therefore lower cost,is provided.

The light source may be adapted to emit light at one or more wavelengthsaccording to any known analysis system in the art. For example, all LEDsin the light source may emit the same wavelength, or the light sourcemay include LEDs which emit light at different wavelengths. The mastercontrol system may be operated to cause all the LEDs to emit lightconstantly, alternatingly, or to be pulsed. The master control systemmay be programmed to operate the light system for photometric orcalorimetric analysis, which are described in various forms and indetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,738 to Hafeman et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,903,346 to Rinke et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,389 to Ching et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,307,144 to Hiroshi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,155 to Rybak,U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,746 to Rook et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,979 toKomarniski, U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,590 to Di Martini et al., U.S. Pat. No.3,877,817 to Ralston, which are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the analyzer 10may be provided with circuitry to permit the use of a wide variety ofpower sources, e.g., AC current, car batteries, standard outlets, tofacilitate use wherever required. Referring to FIG. 7, the power supply34 includes a circuit 35 including a bridge rectifier 60 which receivesAC or DC power. The AC power can be from 9V to 18V with a plugtransformer, and the DC power can be a battery having ±9V to ±16V. Thebridge rectifier 60 functions as a polarity guard and rectifies all thevoltage to a positive value. The power is sent from the bridge rectifier60 to a switching regulator 62. The switching regulator 62 is a DC to DCconverter which handles the required range of possible input voltagesand provides a substantially constant output of approximately 7 volts.After the switching regulator 62, a solid state power switch 64, e.g.,an FET, is provided for operating the analyzer. In addition, a path 65from a battery charger controller 66 to the power switch 64 is alsoprovided. When the power switch 64 is in a closed position, the 7V fromthe switching regulator passes through the switch 64 and to a lowdropout voltage regulator 68 which consistently produces 5V which issent to all circuits in the apparatus. When the power switch 64 is in anopen position, the battery charger controller 66 receives the 7V fromthe switching regulator 62 and operates to charge the battery 36. Thisis facilitated through a voltage control feedback 67 which charges thebattery to a maximum charge without overcharging to thereby enhance theperformance and life of the battery. The battery 36 is preferably a 6V,7 amp/hour storage battery. A diode 69 is provided between the batterycharger controller 66 and the switching regulator 62 to preventdischarge of the battery 36 when the power switch 64 is open and nopower input is across the regulator 62. When the power switch 64 is in aclosed position and the apparatus is disconnected from an AC or externalDC power source, the battery 36 provides 6V to the voltage regulator 68,which is then converted to transistor logic, e.g., 5V, to power thecircuits. As the voltage regulator 68 is a low dropout regulator, itconsistently produces 5V at 70 and does not require substantial headroomto regulate down. Therefore, even as the charge on the battery isdecreased through usage, e.g., to 5.25V, the regulator still operates toproduce a constant transistor logic. According to the invention, a 6V, 7amp/hour storage battery conditioned by the battery charger controller66 can continuously operate the master control system 24 and the lightanalysis systems and all other circuitry for six receptacles for atleast seventeen hours.

Turning now to FIG. 8, according to another embodiment of the invention,substantially similar to the first (with like parts having numbersincremented by 100), the receptacle 114 is a tubular member having aclosed end 114 a defined by a hinged end cap 180. The hinged end cap 180is rotatable about a hinge 182 between closed 180 and open 180 apositions. The photoreceptor 146 and disk 138 are provided in the endcap 180. The receptacle 114 is preferably oriented within the housingsuch that the end cap 180 is provided adjacent a side of the housing(i.e., preferably not located on the bottom of the housing) such thatthe end cap does not interfere with stable seating of the light analysissystem. When the end cap is in the open position, access into theinterior of the receptacle is provided. As such, the receptacle isadapted to be cleaned without the use of a weep hole, as required in thefirst embodiment, and the potential problem of what to do with fluiddraining from a weep hole.

There have been described and illustrated herein an embodiment of alight analysis system. While a particular embodiment of the inventionhas been described, it is not intended that the invention be limitedthereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope asthe art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus,while LEDs have been disclosed for the light source, it will beappreciated that other light sources may be used as well. In addition,while the apparatus has been described with six independently operablereceptacles, the apparatus may include a larger number (e.g., 24 to 36)of receptacles such that it is suitable for laboratory use or mayinclude fewer or even a single receptacle suitable for home or portableuse. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatyet other modifications could be made to the provided invention withoutdeviating from its spirit and scope as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light analysis system, comprising: a) at leastone receptacle; b) for each said receptacle, a light source which emitslight; c) for each said receptacle, a light detector which detects saidlight emitted by said tight source; d) a microcontroller which controlssaid light source and said light detector; and e) a power supply circuitwhich supplies a constant voltage to said microcontroller, said powersupply circuit including i) a bridge rectifier which receives an AC orDC power input and provides a rectified output therefrom, ii) aswitching regulator coupled to said bridge rectifier which receives saidrectified output and generates a substantially constant DC voltagetherefrom, iii) a voltage regulator coupled to said switching regulatorwhich receives said substantially constant DC voltage and generates atransistor logic voltage therefrom, and iv) a power switch coupledbetween said switching regulator and said voltage regulator.
 2. A lightanalysis system according to claim 1, wherein: said bridge rectifier isadapted to receive an 9V to 18V with an AC plug transformer and ±9V to±16V DC power.
 3. A light analysis system according to claim 1, wherein:said substantially constant DC voltage is approximately 7 volts.
 4. Alight analysis system according to claim 1, wherein: said transistorlogic voltage is approximately 5V.
 5. A light analysis system accordingto claim 1, wherein: said power supply circuit includes iv) a batterycharger controller coupled between said switching regulator and saidpower switch.
 6. A light analysis system according to claim 5, wherein:said battery charger controller is coupled to a battery.
 7. A lightanalysis system according to claim 6, wherein: said battery is a 6V 7amp/hour storage battery.
 8. A light analysis system according to claim6, wherein: said power switch can be in either an open position or aclosed position, and when said power switch is in said closed positionand the apparatus is not connected to an external power source, saidbattery powers said microcontroller.